Amid rising tensions in the Middle East over the continuing war in Gaza, President Biden and Vice President Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
A White House readout of the call said Biden reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to security against threats from Iran and its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
“The President discussed efforts to support Israel’s defense against threats such as ballistic missiles and drones, and also reviewed new U.S. military defensive deployments,” the White House said.
Biden also stressed the importance of efforts to ease broader tensions in the region, even as Israel faces threats from Iran over the assassination of a top Hamas leader in Tehran.
Ismail Haniyeh, one of Hamas’ top leaders, was killed while visiting Iran to attend the inauguration of the country’s new president. Iran has vowed revenge since his death, raising fears the region could plunge into all-out war.
The death was reported by Hamas and Iran to various media outlets, including the Associated Press, but Israel has not claimed responsibility.
Hours after Haniya’s death was reported, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke defiantly, saying Israel was achieving its goals.
Israel has faced increasing criticism over its 10-month war in Gaza, which has left some 40,000 Palestinians killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and left most of the surviving Palestinians lacking basic necessities such as food, water and medicine.
Notably, the White House announced that Harris was also on Thursday’s call, which she missed following Netanyahu’s recent joint address to Congress, just days after Biden dropped out of the presidential race and Harris began her campaign.
Ms Harris and Mr Netanyahu met privately, with Ms Harris telling them the time had come to secure a ceasefire. Ms Harris has already sought to differentiate herself from Mr Biden with a more compassionate approach to Gaza’s civilians.
